Langtree, Tanya (2016) Translating evidence to practice: using the ventrogluteal site for intramuscular medication administration. In: Abstracts from the 6th Pan-Pacific Nursing Conference and 1st Colloquium on Chronic Illness Care. C19. p. 99. From: 6th Pan-Pacific Nursing Symposium and 1st Colloquium on Chronic Illness Care, 2-4 March 2016, Hong Kong, China.

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Abstract

Student nurses are often 'caught in the theory-practice gap where what they have learnt during their studies does not translate to the realities of working in the clinical environment. This incongruency between theory and practice, places the student in a difficult conundrum where they feel pressured to conform to the existing clinical practice whilst on placement in an attempt to be accepted. However, this willingness to adopt traditional rather than evidence-based practice can arguably be to the detriment of patient care. The ventrogluteal site (VG) for intramuscular medication administration is one example where this discrepancy exists between what is learnt at university and the clinical environment. Typically, Australian nursing students learn about the benefits of using the VG site and the potential complications associated with use of the dorsogluteal (DG) site for intramuscular medication administration during their first year of undergraduate study. Hence, prior to commencing clinical placement, students possess an evidence-based understanding of intramuscular site selection. However, students frequently report that they are discouraged to use the VG site whilst on placement and instead are encouraged to use the DG site. That is, despite the clearly established benefits of using the VG rather than the DG site, this practice has not been readily adopted in the clinical environment. This disconnect between what is best practice and what is reality is a perplexing challenge for students, and if poorly handled, can result in the students' mistrust of either the university or the clinical agency. Nurse academics therefore have an obligation to address such ongoing theory-practice gaps that exist, to not only improve students' learning experiences and developing practice but also to potentially improve patient outcomes. Using this example of intramuscular site selection, an educational strategy that addresses this disconnect between the university and clinical environment will be discussed.

Item ID:	64769
Item Type:	Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
Keywords:	ventrogluteal intramuscular site
Date Deposited:	10 Nov 2020 00:44
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1110 Nursing > 111099 Nursing not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920210 Nursing @ 100%
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